The annual International Ecotourism Business Forum (IEBF) is currently underway from 29th September to 4 October 2014 in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

IEBF is an annual ectourism Mart, where national and international buyers and sellers in ecotourism meet, iinteract and conduct business.

The objective of the forum is to introduce and promote ecotourism destinations and products in Indonesia through hands on experience by both national and international tour operators; exchange product knowledge and information on actual tourism market trends at international and national levels through seminars and lively discussions; improve ecotourism business in Indonesia through B2B (business to business) forum; develop ecotourism business network within Indonesia and in international networks, and to increase the role of local governments to engage in ecotourism development.

Every year, the forum has been organized at different destinations involving both local government and local communities. Participants are encouraged to actively engage in seminars, table top meetings, as well as informal discussions among buyers and sellers. To provide full insight of host destinations, participants are given the opportunity to explore main destinations and attractions firsthand, hosted by local tour operators and local communities.

Carrying the theme “Nature, Culture, and People”, participants of this year’s IEBF are taken to explore the fascinating wonders of East Nusa Tenggara.

After rendezvousing on the island of Bali, all participants are making their way to the enchanting Kelimutu Lake on the island of Flores. Aside from meetings and seminars, participants are also taken to see the traditional rituals and ceremonies of the local inhabitants. The tour also continues to some of the traditional villages of Bhetopadhi, Be’a, and Tu’de to greet the local farmers.

Participants then proceed to Bajawa to conduct discussions with officials of the Ngada Regency, before exploring the Bajawa Cofee Plantation. Here participants are presented with the coffee production process and get a chance to take a sip of the famous Bajawa’s Coffee. Participants will also visit typical villages including Mangulewa, Manulalu, Tololela, and Gurusina.

The trip continues to Ruteng, where participants are presented with the uniquely traditional spiderweb formation ricefields. The tour will end at Labuan Bajo, which is the gateway to KomodoIsland. Here, participants are given the opportunity to taste local culinary presentations and explore the Batu Cermin Cave.